Montyremovedhissombrero——somethinghehadneverdonebefore——
　　andthesingleinstantwhenitwasoffwaslongenoughtoshowhisheadentirelybald。Thiswasoneofthehall-marksofthatterribleMontanaprairiefirethroughwhichhehadfoughttosavethelifeofachild。Madelinedidnotforgetit，andallatonceshewantedtotakeMonty'sside。RememberingStillwell'swisdom，however，sheforeboreyieldingtosentiment，andcalleduponherwits。
　　"Miss——MissHammond，"beganMonty，stammering，"I'mextendin'
　　admirin'greetin'stoyouan'yourfriends。Linkan'mearerightdownproudtoplaythematchgamewithyouwatchin'。ButBillsaysyou'regoin'tocaddieforhisteaman'coach'emonthefinepoints。An'Iwanttoask，allrespectful，ifthet'sfairan'square？"
　　"Monty，thatisforyoutosay，"repliedMadeline。"Itwasmysuggestion。Butifyouobjectintheleast，ofcourseweshallwithdraw。Itseemsfairtome，becauseyouhavelearnedthegame；youareexpert，andIunderstandtheotherboyshavenochancewithyou。ThenyouhavecoachedLink。Ithinkitwouldbesportsmanlikeofyoutoacceptthehandicap。"
　　"Aw，ahandicap！ThetwaswhatBillwasdrivin'at。Whydidn'thesayso？EverytimeBillcomestoawordthet'spietousoldgolfershejeststumbles。MissMajesty，you'vemadeitallclearasprint。An'Imaysaywithbecomin'modestythetyouwasn'tmistakennoneaboutmebein'sportsmanlike。Mean'Linkwasbornthetway。An'weacceptthehandicap。Lackin'thethandicap，I
　　reckonLinkan'mewouldhavenoambishtoplayourmostbe-ootifulgame。An'thankin'you，MissMajesty，an'allyourfriends，IwanttoaddthetifBill'soutfitcouldn'tbeatusbefore，they'vegotaswellchanctnow，withyouladiesa-watchin'mean'Link。"
　　Montyhadseemedtoexpandwithprideashedeliveredthisspeech，andattheendhebowedlowandturnedaway。HejoinedthegrouproundStillwell。Oncemoretherewasanimateddiscussionandargumentandexpostulation。OneofthecowboyscameforCastletonandledhimawaytoexploitupongroundrules。
　　ItseemedtoMadelinethatthegameneverwouldbegin。Shestrolledontherimofthemesa，arminarmwithEdithWayne，andwhileEdithtalkedshelookedoutoverthegrayvalleyleadingtotheruggedblackmountainsandthevastredwastes。Intheforegroundonthegrayslopeshesawcattleinmovementandcowboysridingtoandfro。ShethoughtofStewart。ThenBoydHarveycameforthem，sayingalldetailshadbeenarranged。
　　Stillwellmetthemhalf-way，andthiscool，dry，oldcattleman，whosefaceandmannerscarcelychangedattheannouncementofacattle-raid，nowshowedextremeagitation。
　　"Wal，MissMajesty，we'vegonean'madeafoozlerightatthestart，"hesaid，dejectedly。
　　"Afoozle？Butthegamehasnotyetbegun，"repliedMadeline。
　　"Abadstart，Imean。It'samazin'bad，an'we'relickedalready。"
　　"Whatintheworldiswrong？"
　　Shewantedtolaugh，butStillwell'sdistressrestrainedher。
　　"Wal，it'sthisway。ThatdarnMontyisascutean'slickasafox。Afterhegotdonedeclaimin'aboutthehandicaphean'Linkwassohappytotake，hegotCastletonoverhyaran'droveusalldottywithhiscrazygol-lofnames。ThenheborrowedCastleton'sgol-lofcoat。Ireckonborrowedissomekindword。Hejustabouttookthatblazin'coatofftheEnglishman。ThoughIain'tsayin'butthatCasletonwasagreeablewhenhetumbledtoMonty'smeanin'。Whichwasnothin'more'ntobreakAmbrose'sheart。
　　ThatcoatdazzlesAmbrose。YouknowhowvainAmbroseis。Why，he'ddietogettowearthatEnglishman'sgol-lofcoat。An'
　　Montyforestalledhim。It'splumbpitifultoseethelookinAmbrose'seyes。Hewon'tbeabletoplaymuch。Thenwhatdoyouthink？MontyfixedEdLinton，allright。UsuallyEdiseasy-goin'an'cool。Butnowhe'sontherampage。Wal，mebbeit'snewstoyoutolearnthatEd'swifeispowerful，turriblejealousofhim。Edwassomethin'ofadevilwiththewimmen。
　　Montygoesoveran'tellsBeulah——that'sEd'swife——thatEdisgoin'tohaveforcaddiethelovelyMissDorothywiththegoo-gooeyes。Ireckonthiswassomedisrespectful，butwithalldoorespecttoMissDorothyshehasgotapairofunbridledeyes。
　　Mebbeit'sjustnaturalforhertolookatafellerlikethat。
　　Oh，it'sallright；I'mnotsayin'any-thin'！Iknowit'sallproperan'regularforgirlsbackEasttousetheireyes。Butouthyarit'sboundtoresultdisastrous。AlltheboystalkaboutamongthemselvesisMissDot'seyes，an'alltheybragaboutiswhichfelleristheluckiest。Anyway，sureEd'swifeknowsit。An'Montyupan'toldherthatitwasfineforhertocomeoutan'seehowswellEdwasprancin'roundunderthelightofMissDot'sbrowneyes。BeulahcallsoverEd，figgertivelyspeakin'，ropeshimforaminnit。Edcomesbackhuggin'agrouchasbigasahill。Oh，itwasfunny！Hewasgoin'topunchMonty'shaidoff。An'Montystandstherean'laughs。SaysMonty，sarcasticasalkaliwater：'Ed，we-allknowedyouwasaheapmarriedman，butyou'resomelocoedtogiveyourselfaway。'
　　ThatsettledEd。He'ssometouchyaboutthewayBeulahhenpeckshim。Helosthisspirit。An'nowhecouldn'tplaymarbles，letalonegol-lof。Nope，Montywastoosmart：An'Ireckonhewasrightaboutbrainsbein'whatwins。"
　　Thegamebegan。AtfirstMadelineandDorothyessayedtodirecttheendeavorsoftheirrespectiveplayers。Butalltheysaidanddidonlymadetheirteamplaytheworse。Atthethirdholetheywerefarbehindandhopelesslybewildered。WhatwithMonty'sborrowedcoat，withitsdazzlingeffectuponAmbrose，andLink'soft-repeatedallusiontoEd'smatrimonialstate，andStillwell'svociferateddisgust，andtheclamoringgoodintentionandpursuitofthecowboysupporters，andtheembarrassingpresenceoftheladies，AmbroseandEdworethroughallmannerofstrangeplayuntilitbecameridiculous。
　　"Hey，Link，"cameMonty'svoiceboomingoverthelinks，"ouresteemedrivalsareplayin'shinny。"
　　MadelineandDorothygaveup，presently，whenthegamebecamearout，andtheysatdownwiththeirfollowerstowatchthefun。
　　Whetherbyhookorcrook，EdandAmbroseforgedaheadtocomecloseuponMontyandLink。Castletondisappearedinamassofgesticulating，shoutingcowboys。WhenthatcompactmassdisintegratedCastletoncameforthratherhurriedly，itappeared，tostalkbacktowardhishostessandfriends。
　　"Look！"exclaimedHelen，indelight。"Castletonisactuallyexcited。Whateverdidtheydotohim？Oh，thisisimmense！"
　　Castletonwasexcited，indeed，andalsosomewhatdisheveled。
　　"ByJove！thatwasarumgo，"hesaid，ashecameup。"Neversawsuchbloominggolf！Iresignedmyofficeasumpire。"
　　Onlyuponconsiderablepressuredidherevealthereason。"Itwaslikethis，don'tyouknow。Theywerealltogetheroverthere，watchingeachother。MontyPrice'sballdroppedintoahazard，andhemovedittoimprovethelie。ByJove！they'veallbeendoingthat。Butovertherethegamewaswaxinghot。
　　StillwellandhiscowboyssawMontymovetheball，andtherewasarow。Theyappealedtome。Icorrectedtheplay，showedtherules。Montyagreedhewasinthewrong。However，whenitcametomovinghisballbacktoitsformerlieinthehazardtherewasmorebloomingtrouble。Montyplacedtheballtosuithim，andthenhetransfixedmewithanevileye。
　　"'Dook，'hesaid。Iwishthebloodycowboywouldnotcallmethat。'Dook，mebbethisgameain'tasimportantasinternationalpoliticsorsomeotherthingsrelatin'，butthere'ssomehealthan'peacedependin'onit。Savvy？Forsomespaceouropponentshavebeendeadtohonoran'sportsmanlikeconduct。Icalculatethegamedependsonmynextdrive。I'mplacin'myballasneartowhereitwasashumaneyesightcould。YouseenwhereitwassameasIseenit。You'retheumpire，an'，Dook，Itakeyouasahonorableman。Moreover，neverinmyborndayshasmywordbeendoubtedwithoutsorrow。SoI'maskin'you，wasn'tmyballlayin'
　　justabouthere？'
　　"Thebloodylittledesperadosmiledcheerfully，andhedroppedhisrighthanddowntothebuttofhisgun。ByJove，hedid！
　　ThenIhadtotellabloominglie！"
　　CastletonevencaughtthetoneofMonty'svoice，butitwasplainthathehadnottheleastconceptionthatMontyhadbeenfooling。
　　Madelineandherfriendsdivinedit，however；and，therebeingnoneedofreserve，theyletloosethefountainsofmirth。
　　XIVBanditsWhenMadelineandherpartyrecoveredcomposuretheysatuptowatchthefinishofthematch。Itcamewithspectacularsuddenness。Asharpyellpealedout，andallthecowboysturnedattentivelyinitsdirection。Abigblackhorsehadsurmountedtherimofthemesaandwasjustbreakingintoarun。Hisrideryelledsharplytothecowboys。Theywheeledtodashtowardtheirgrazinghorses。
　　"That'sStewart。Thereissomethingwrong，"saidMadeline，inalarm。
　　Castletonstared。Theothermenexclaimeduneasily。ThewomensoughtMadeline'sfacewithanxiouseyes。
　　Theblackgotintohisstrideandboreswiftlydownuponthem。
　　"Oh，lookatthathorserun！"criedHelen。"Lookatthatfellowride！"
　　Helenwasnotaloneinheradmiration，forMadelinedividedheremotionsbetweengrowingalarmofsomedangermenacingandathrillandquickeningofpulse-beatthattingledoverherwhenevershesawStewartinviolentaction。Noactionofhiswasanylongerinsignificant，butviolentactionmeantsomuch。Itmightmeananything。ForonemomentsherememberedStillwellandallhistalkaboutfun，andplots，andtrickstoamuseherguest。
　　Thenshediscountenancedthethought。Stewartmightlendhimselftoalittlefun，buthecaredtoomuchforahorsetorunhimatthatspeedunlesstherewasimperiousneed。ThatalonesufficedtoanswerMadeline'squestioningcuriosity。Andheralarmmountedtofearnotsomuchforherselfasforherguests。Butwhatdangercouldtherebe？Shecouldthinkofnothingexcepttheguerrillas。
　　Whateverthreatened，itwouldbemetandcheckedbythismanStewart，whowasthunderinguponhisfleethorse；andashenearedher，sothatshecouldseethedarkgleamoffaceandeyes，shehadastrangefeelingoftrustinherdependenceuponhim。
　　ThebigblackwassoclosetoMadelineandherfriendsthatwhenStewartpulledhimthedustandsandkickedupbyhispoundinghoofsflewintheirfaces。
　　"Oh，Stewart，whatisit？"criedMadeline。
　　"GuessIscaredyou，MissHammond，"hereplied。"ButI'mpressedfortime。There'sagangofbanditshidingontheranch，mostlikelyinadesertedhut。TheyheldupatrainnearAguaPrieta。
　　PatHaweiswiththepossethat'strailingthem，andyouknowPathasnouseforus。I'mafraiditwouldn'tbepleasantforyouoryourgueststomeeteithertheposseorthebandits。"
　　"Ifancynot，"saidMadeline，considerablyrelieved。"We'llhurrybacktothehouse。"
　　Theyexchangednomorespeechatthemoment，andMadeline'sguestsweresilent。PerhapsStewart'sactionsandlooksbeliedhiscalmwords。Hispiercingeyesrovedroundtherimofthemesa，andhisfacewasashardandsternaschiseledbronze。
　　MontyandNickcamegallopingup，eachleadingseveralhorsesbythebridles。NelsappearedbehindthemwithMajesty，andhewashavingtroublewiththeroan。Madelineobservedthatalltheothercowboyshaddisappeared。
　　OnesharpwordfromStewartcalmedMadeline'shorse；theotherhorses，however，werefrightenedandnotinclinedtostand。Themenmountedwithouttrouble，andlikewiseMadelineandFlorence。
　　ButEdithWayneandMrs。Beck，beingnervousandalmosthelpless，werewithdifficultygottenintothesaddle。
　　"Begpardon，butI'mpressedfortime，"saidStewart，coolly，aswithironarmheforcedDorothy'shorsealmosttoitsknees。
　　Dorothy，whowasactiveandplucky，climbedastride；andwhenStewartloosedhisholdonbitandmanethehorsedoubledupandbegantobuck。Dorothyscreamedassheshotintotheair。
　　Stewart，asquickasthehorse，leapedforwardandcaughtDorothyinhisarms。Shehadslippedheaddownwardand，hadhenotcaughther，wouldhavehadaseriousfall。Stewart，handlingherasifshewereachild，turnedherrightsideuptosetheruponherfeet。Dorothyevidentlythoughtonlyofthespectacleshepresented，andmadestartledmotionstoreadjustherriding-habit。Itwasnotimetolaugh，thoughMadelinefeltasifshewantedto。Besides，itwasimpossibletobeanythingbutsoberwithStewartinviolentmood。ForhehadjumpedatDorothy'sstubbornmount。Allcowboysweremastersofhorses。
　　Itwaswonderfultoseehimconquertheviciousanimal。Hewascruel，perhaps，yetitwasfromnecessity。When，presently，heledthehorsebacktoDorothyshemountedwithoutfurthertrouble。Meanwhile，NelsandNickhadliftedHelenintohersaddle。
　　"We'lltakethesidetrail，"saidStewart，shortly，asheswunguponthebigblack。Thenheledtheway，andtheothercowboystrottedintherear。
　　Itwasonlyashortdistancetotherimofthemesa，andwhenMadelinesawthesteeptrail，narrowandchokedwithweatheredstone，shefeltthatherguestswouldcertainlyflinch。
　　"That'sajollybadcourse，"observedCastleton。
　　Thewomenappearedtobespeechless。
　　Stewartcheckedhishorseatthedeepcutwherethetrailstarteddown。
　　"Boys，dropover，andgoslow，"hesaid，dismounting。"Flo，youfollow。Now，ladies，letyourhorseslooseandholdon。Leanforwardandhangtothepommel。Itlooksbad。Butthehorsesareusedtosuchtrails。"
　　HelenfollowedcloselyafterFlorence；Mrs。Beckwentnext，andthenEdithWayne。Dorothy'shorsebalked。
　　"I'mnotso——sofrightened，"saidDorothy。"Ifonlyhewouldbehave！"
　　Shebegantourgehimintothetrail，makinghimrear，whenStewartgraspedthebitandjerkedthehorsedown。
　　"Putyourfootinmystirrup，"saidStewart。"Wecan'twastetime。"
　　Heliftedheruponhishorseandstartedhimdownovertherim。
　　"Goon，MissHammond。I'llhavetoleadthisnagdown。It'llsavetime。"
　　ThenMadelineattendedtothebusinessofgettingdownherself。
　　Itwasaloosetrail。Theweatheredslopesseemedtoslideunderthefeetofthehorses。Dust-cloudsformed；rocksrolledandrattleddown；cactusspikestoreathorseandrider。Mrs。Beckbrokeintolaughter，andtherewasanoteinitthatsuggestedhysteria。OnceortwiceDorothymurmuredplaintively。HalfthetimeMadelinecouldnotdistinguishthoseaheadthroughtheyellowdust。Itwasdryandmadehercough。Thehorsessnorted。
　　ShehearedStewartclosebehind，startinglittleavalanchesthatkeptrollingonMajesty'sfetlocks。Shefearedhislegsmighthecutorbruised，forsomeofthestonescrackedbyandwentrattlingdowntheslope。AtlengththecloudsofdustthinnedandMadelinesawtheothersbeforeherrideoutuponalevel。Soonshewasdown，andStewartalso。
　　Heretherewasadelay，occasionedbyStewartchangingDorothyfromhishorsetoherown。ThisstruckMadelineasbeingsingular，andmadeherthoughtful。Infact，thealert，quietmannerofallthecowboyswasnotreassuring。AstheyresumedtherideitwasnoticeablethatNelsandNickwerefarinadvance，Montystayedfarintherear，andStewartrodewiththeparty。MadelineheardBoydHarveyaskStewartiflawlessnesssuchashehadmentionedwasnotunusual。Stewartrepliedthat，exceptforoccasionaldeedsofoutlawrysuchasmightbreakoutinanyisolatedsectionofthecountry，therehadbeenpeaceandquietalongtheborderforyears。ItwastheMexicanrevolutionthathadrevivedwildtimes，withalltheattendantraidsandholdupsandgun-packing。Madelineknewthattheywerereallybeingescortedhomeunderarmedguard。
　　Whentheyroundedtheheadofthemesa，bringingintoviewtheranch-houseandthevalley，MadelinesawdustorsmokehoveringoverahutupontheoutskirtsoftheMexicanquarters。Asthesunhadsetandthelightwasfading，shecouldnotdistinguishwhichitwas。ThenStewartsetafastpaceforthehouse。Inafewminutesthepartywasintheyard，readyandwillingtodismount。
　　Stillwellappeared，ostensiblycheerful，toocheerfultodeceiveMadeline。Shenotedalsothatanumberofarmedcowboyswerewalkingwiththeirhorsesjustbelowthehouse。
　　"Wal，you-allhadanicelittlerun，"Stillwellsaid，speakinggenerally。"Ireckontherewasn'tmuchneedofit。PatHawethinkshe'sgotsomeoutlawscorralledontheranch。Nothin'atalltobefussedupabout。Stewart'sthatparticularhewon'thaveyoumeetin'withanyrowdies。"
　　ManyandferventweretheexpressionsofrelieffromMadeline'sfeminineguestsastheydismountedandwentintothehouse。
　　MadelinelingeredbehindtospeakwithStillwellandStewart。
　　"Now，Stillwell，outwithit，"shesaid，briefly。
　　Thecattlemanstared，andthenhelaughed，evidentlypleasedwithherkeenness。
　　"Wal，MissMajesty，there'sgoin'tobeafightsomewhere，an'
　　Stewartwantedtogetyou-allinbeforeitcomeoff。Hesaysthevalley'soverrunbyvaquerosan'guerrillasan'robbers，an'Lordknowswhatelse。"
　　Hestampedofftheporch，hishugespursrattling，andstarteddownthepathtowardthewaitingmen。
　　Stewartstoodinhisfamiliarattentiveposition，erect，silent，withahandonpommelandbridle。
　　"Stewart，youareexceedingly——thoughtfulofmyinterests，"shesaid，wantingtothankhim，andnotreadilyfindingwords。"I
　　wouldnotknowwhattodowithoutyou。Istheredanger？"
　　"I'mnotsure。ButIwanttobeonthesafeside。"
　　Shehesitated。Itwasnolongereasyforhertotalktohim，andshedidnotknowwhy。
　　"MayIknowthespecialordersyougaveNelsandNickandMonty？"
　　sheasked。
　　"WhosaidIgavethoseboysspecialorders？"
　　"IheardStillwelltellthemso。"
　　"OfcourseI'lltellyouifyouinsist。Butwhyshouldyouworryoversomethingthat'lllikelyneverhappen？"
　　"Iinsist，Stewart，"shereplied，quietly。
　　"Myorderswerethatatleastoneofthemmustbeonguardnearyoudayandnight——nevertobeoutofhearingofyourvoice。"
　　"Ithoughtasmuch。ButwhyNelsorMontyorNick？Thatseemsratherhardonthem。Forthatmatter，whyputanyonetokeepguardoverme？Doyounottrustanyotherofmycowboys？"
　　"I'dtrusttheirhonesty，butnottheirability。"
　　"Ability？Ofwhatnature？"
　　"Withguns。"
　　"Stewart！"sheexclaimed。
　　"MissHammond，youhavebeenhavingsuchagoodtimeentertainingyourgueststhatyouforget。I'mgladofthat。Iwishyouhadnotquestionedme。"
　　"Forgetwhat？"
　　"DonCarlosandhisguerrillas。"
　　"IndeedIhavenotforgotten。Stewart，youstillthinkDonCarlostriedtomakeoffwithme——maytryitagain？"
　　"Idon'tthink。Iknow。"
　　"Andbesidesallyourotherdutiesyouhavesharedthewatchwiththesethreecowboys？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Ithasbeengoingonwithoutmyknowledge？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Sincewhen？"
　　"SinceIbroughtyoudownfromthemountainslastmonth。"
　　"Howlongisittocontinue？"
　　"That'shardtosay。Tilltherevolutionisover，anyhow。"
　　Shemusedamoment，lookingawaytothewest，wherethegreatvoidwasfillingwithredhaze。Shebelievedimplicitlyinhim，andthemenacehoveringnearherfelllikeashadowuponherpresenthappiness。
　　"WhatmustIdo？"sheasked。
　　"IthinkyououghttosendyourfriendsbackEast——andgowiththem，untilthisguerrillawarisover。"
　　"Why，Stewart，theywouldbebroken-hearted，andsowouldI。"
　　Hehadnoreplyforthat。
　　"IfIdonottakeyouradviceitwillbethefirsttimesinceI
　　havecometolooktoyouforsomuch，"shewenton。"Cannotyousuggestsomethingelse？Myfriendsarehavingsuchasplendidvisit。Helenisgettingwell。Oh，Ishouldbesorrytoseethemgobeforetheywantto。"
　　"Wemighttakethemupintothemountainsandcampoutforawhile，"hesaid，presently。"Iknowawildplaceupamongthecrags。It'sahardclimb，butworththework。Ineversawamorebeautifulspot。Finewater，anditwillbecool。Prettysoonit'llbetoohothereforyourpartytogoout-of-doors。"
　　"Youmeantohidemeawayamongthecragsandclouds？"repliedMadeline，withalaugh。
　　"Well，it'damounttothat。Yourfriendsneednotknow。Perhapsinafewweeksthisspelloftroubleontheborderwillbeovertillfall。"
　　"Yousayit'sahardclimbuptothisplace？"
　　"Itsurelyis。Yourfriendswillgettherealthingiftheymakethattrip。"
　　"Thatsuitsme。Helenespeciallywantssomethingtohappen。Andtheyareallcrazyforexcitement。"
　　"They'dgetitupthere。Badtrails，canonstohead，steepclimbs，wind-storms，thunderandlightning，rain，mountain-lionsandwildcats。"
　　"Verywell，Iamdecided。Stewart，ofcourseyouwilltakecharge？Idon'tbelieveI——Stewart，isn'ttheresomethingmoreyoucouldtellme——whyyouthink，whyyouknowmyownpersonallibertyisinperil？"
　　"Yes。Butdonotaskmewhatitis。IfIhadn'tbeenarebelsoldierIwouldneverhaveknown。"
　　"Ifyouhadnotbeenarebelsoldier，wherewouldMadelineHammondbenow？"sheasked，earnestly。
　　Hemadenoreply。
　　"Stewart，"shecontinued，withwarmimpulse，"youoncementionedadebtyouowedme——"Andseeinghisdarkfacepale，shewavered，thenwenton。"Itispaid。"
　　"No，no，"heanswered，huskily。
　　"Yes。Iwillnothaveitotherwise。"
　　"No。Thatnevercanbepaid。"
　　Madelineheldoutherhand。
　　"Itispaid，Itellyou，"sherepeated。
　　Suddenlyhedrewbackfromtheoutstretchedwhitehandthatseemedtofascinatehim。
　　"I'dkillamantotouchyourhand。ButIwon'ttouchitonthetermsyouoffer。"
　　Hisunexpectedpassiondisconcertedher。
　　"Stewart，nomaneverbeforerefusedtoshakehandswithme，foranyreason。It——itisscarcelyflattering，"shesaid，withalittlelaugh。"Whywon'tyou？BecauseyouthinkIofferitasmistresstoservant——ranchertocowboy？"
　　"No。"
　　"Thenwhy？Thedebtyouowedmeispaid。Icancelit。Sowhynotshakehandsuponit，asmendo？"
　　"Iwon't。That'sall。"
　　"Ifearyouareungracious，whateveryourreason，"shereplied。
　　"Still，Imayofferitagainsomeday。Goodnight。"
　　Hesaidgoodnightandturned。Madelinewonderinglywatchedhimgodownthepathwithhishandontheblackhorse'sneck。
　　Shewentintorestalittlebeforedressingfordinner，and，beingfatiguedfromtheday'sridingandexcitement，shefellasleep。Whensheawokeitwastwilight。ShewonderedwhyherMexicanmaidhadnotcometoher，andsherangthebell。Themaiddidnotputinanappearance，norwasthereanyanswertothering。Thehouseseemedunusuallyquiet。Itwasabroodingsilence，whichpresentlybroketothesoundoffootstepsontheporch。MadelinerecognizedStillwell'stread，thoughitappearedtobelightforhim。Thensheheardhimcallsoftlyinattheopendoorofheroffice。Thesuggestionofcautioninhisvoicesuitedthestrangenessofhiswalk。Withabodingsenseoftroubleshehurriedthroughtherooms。Hewasstandingoutsideherofficedoor。
　　"Stillwell！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Anybodywithyou？"heasked，inalowtone。
　　"No。"
　　"Pleasecomeoutontheporch，"headded。
　　Shecomplied，and，onceout，wasenabledtoseehim。Hisgraveface，palerthanshehadeverbeheldit，causedhertostretchanappealinghandtowardhim。Stillwellintercepteditandhelditinhisown。
　　"MissMajesty，I'mamazin'sorrytotellworrisomenews。"Hespokealmostinawhisper，cautiouslylookedabouthim，andseemedbothhurriedandmysterious。"Ifyou'dheerdStewartcussyou'dsureknowhowwehatetohevtotellyouthis。Butitcan'tbeavoided。Thefactiswe'reinabadfix。Ifyourguestsain'tscaredoutoftheirskinsit'llbeowin'toyournervean'howyoucarryoutStewart'sorders。"
　　"Youcanrelyuponme，"repliedMadeline，firmly，thoughshetrembled。
　　"Wal，whatwe'reupagainstisthis：thatgangofbanditsPatHawewaschasin'——they'rehidin'inthehouse！"
　　"Inthehouse？"echoedMadeline，aghast。
　　"MissMajesty，it'stheamazin'truth，an'shamedindeedamItoadmitit。Stewart——why，he'swildwithragetothinkitcouldhevhappened。Yousee，itcouldn'thevhappenedifIhedn'tslopedtheboysofftothegol-lof-links，an'ifStewarthedn'tridoutonthemesaafterus。It'smyfault。I'vehedtoomuchfemininityaroundfermyoldhaid。Genecussedme——hecussedmesurescandalous。Butnowwe'vegottofaceit——tofigger。"
　　"Doyoumeanthatagangofhuntedoutlaws——bandits——haveactuallytakenrefugesomewhereinmyhouse？"demandedMadeline。
　　"Isuredo。Seemspowerfulstrangetomewhyyoudidn'tfindsomethin'waswrong，seem'allyourservantshevsloped。"
　　"Gone？Ah，Imissedmymaid！Iwonderedwhynolightswerelit。
　　Wheredidmyservantsgo？"
　　"DowntotheMexicanquarters，an'scaredhalftodeath。Nowlisten。WhenStewartleftyouanhourorsoagohefolleredmedirecttowheremean'theboyswastryin'tokeepPatHawefromtearin'theranchtopieces。Atthatwewashelpin'Patallwecouldtofindthembandits。ButwhenStewartgottherehemadeadifference。Patwasnastybefore，butseein'Stewartmadehimwuss。IreckonGenetoPatisthesameasredtoaGreaserbull。
　　Anyway，whenthesheriffsetfiretoanoldadobehutStewartcalledhiman'calledhimhard。PatHawehedsixfellerswithhim，an'fromallappearancesbandit-huntin'wassomefiesta。
　　Therewasarow，an'itlookedbadferalittle。ButGenewascool，an'hecontrolledtheboys。ThenPatan'histoughde-pootieswentonhuntin'。Thathuntin'，MissMajesty，peteredoutintowhatwasonlyafarce。IreckonPatcouldhevkeptonfoolin'mean'theboys，butassoonasStewartshoweduponthescene——wal，eitherPatgottoblunderin'orelsewe-allshedourblinders。Anyway，thefactsstoodplain。PatHawewasn'tlookin'
　　hardferanybandits；hewasn'tdaidsethuntin'anythin'，unlessitwastroubleferStewart。Finally，whenPat'smenmadeferourstorehouse，wherewekeepammunition，grub，liquors，an'sich，thenGenecalledahalt。An'heorderedPatHaweofftheranch。
　　ItwashyarHawean'Stewartlockedhorns。
　　An'hyarthetruthcomeout。Therewasagangofbanditshidsomewheres，an'atfustPatHawehedbeenpowerfulactivean'
　　earnestinhishuntin'。Butsudden-likehe'dfetchedapecooliarchangeofheart。HehadbeensomeflusteredwithStewart'seyesa-pryin'intohismoves，an'then，mebbetohidesomethin'，mebbejestnat'rul，hegotmad。Heholleredlaw。HepulleddownofftheshelfhisoldstockgrudgeonStewart，accusin'himoveragainofthatGreasermurderlastfall。Stewartmadehimlooklikeafool——showedhimupasbein'scaredofthebanditsorhevin'somereasonferslopin'offthetrail。Anyway，therowstartedallright，an'butferNelsitmighthevamountedtoafight。Inthethickofit，whenStewartwasdrivin'Patan'hiscrowdofftheplace，oneofthemde-pootieslosthisheadan'
　　wentferhisgun。Nelsthrowedhisgunan'crippledthefeller'sarm。Montyjumpedthenan'throwedtwoforty-fives，an'ferasecondorsoitlookedticklish。Butthebandit-hunterscrawled，an'thenlitout。"
　　Stillwellpausedintherapiddeliveryofhisnarrative；hestillretainedMadeline'shand，asifbythathemightcomforther。
　　"AfterPatleftweputourhaidstogether，"begantheoldcattleman，withalongrespiration。"Weroundedupaladwhohedseenadozenorsofellers——hewouldn'ttotheywasGreasers——
　　breakin'throughtheshrubberytothebackofthehouse。ThatwaswhileStewartwasridin'outtothemesa。Thenthisladseenyourservantsallrunnin'downthehilltowardthevillage。Now，heah'sthewayGenefiggers。Theresurewassomedeviltrydownalongtherailroad，an'PatHawetrailedbanditsuptotheranch。
　　Hehuntshardan'thenalltooncthequits。StewartsaysPatHawewasn'tscared，buthediscoveredsignsorsomethin'，orgotwindinsomestrangewaythattherewasinthegangofbanditssomefellershedidn'twanttoketch。Sabe？ThenGene，quicker'naflash，springshisplanonme。He'dgodowntoPadreMarcosan'hevhimhelptofindoutallpossiblefromyourMexicanservants。Iwastohurryuphyaran'tellyou——giveyouorders，MissMajesty。Ain'tthatamazin'strange？Wal，you'retoassembleallyourguestsinthekitchen。Makeagrandbluffan'
　　pretend，asyourhelphasleft，thatit'llbegreatfunferyourgueststocookdinner。Thekitchenisthesafestroominthehouse。Whileyou'rejoshin'yourpartyalong，makin'akindofpicnicoutofit，I'llplacecowboysinthelongcorridor，an'
　　alsooutsideinthecornerwherethekitchenjoinsontothemainhouse。It'sprettysurethebanditsthinknoone'swisetowherethey'rehid。Stewartsaysthey'reinthatendroomwherethealfalfais，an'they'llslopeinthenight。Ofcourse，withmean'theboyswatchin'，you-allwillbesafetogotobed。An'
　　we'retorouseyourguestsearlybeforedaylight，tohitthetrailupintothemountains。Tellthemtopackoutfitsbeforegoin'tobed。Sayasyourservantshevsloped，youmightaswellgocampin'withthecowboys。That'sall。Ifwehevanyluckyour'friends'llneverknowthey'vebeensittin'onapowder-mine。"
　　"Stillwell，doyouadvisethattripupintothemountains？"askedMadeline。
　　"IreckonIdo，considerin'everythin'。Now，MissMajesty，I'veusedupalotoftimeexplainin'。You'llsurekeepyournerve？"
　　"Yes，"Madelinereplied，andwassurprisedatherself。"BettertellFlorence。She'llbeapowerofcomforttoyou。I'mgoin'
　　nowtofetchuptheboys。"
　　InsteadofreturningtoherroomMadelinewentthroughtheofficeintothelongcorridor。Itwasalmostasdarkasnight。Shefanciedshesawaslow-glidingfiguredarkerthanthesurroundinggloom；andsheentereduponthefulfilmentofherpartoftheplaninsomethingliketrepidation。Herfootstepswerenoiseless。Findingthedoortothekitchen，andgoingin，shestrucklights。Uponpassingoutagainshemadecertainshediscernedadarkshape，nowmotionless，crouchingalongthewall。
　　Butshemistrustedhervividimagination。Ittookallherboldnesstoenableherunconcernedlyandnaturallytostrikethecorridorlight。Thenshewentonthroughherownroomsandthenceintothepatio。
　　Herguestslaughinglyandgladlyenteredintothespiritoftheoccasion。Madelinefanciedherdeceitmusthavebeenperfect，seeingthatitdeceivedevenFlorence。Theytroopedmerrilyintothekitchen。Madeline，delayingatthedoor，tookasharpbutunobtrusiveglancedownthegreat，barnlikehall。Shesawnothingbutblankdarkspace。Suddenlyfromoneside，notaroddistant，protrudedapale，gleamingfacebreakingtheevenblackness。Instantlyitflashedbackoutofsight。YetthattimewaslongenoughforMadelinetoseeapairofglitteringeyes，andtorecognizethemasDonCarlos's。
　　Withoutbetrayingeitherhurryoralarm，sheclosedthedoor。Ithadaheavyboltwhichsheslowly，noiselesslyshot。Thenthecoldamazethathadallbutstunnedherintoinactionthrobbedintowrath。HowdaredthatMexicanstealintoherhome！Whatdidhemean？Washeoneofthebanditssupposedtobehiddeninherhouse？Shewasthinkingherselfintogreaterangerandexcitement，andprobablywouldhavebetrayedherselfhadnotFlorence，whohadevidentlyseenherboltthedoorandnowreadherthoughts，cometowardherwithabright，intent，questioninglook。Madelinecaughtherselfintime。
　　Thereuponshegaveeachofherguestsadutytoperform。LeadingFlorenceintothepantry，sheunburdenedherselfofthesecretinonebriefwhisper。Florence'sreplywastopointoutofthelittleopenwindow，passingwhichwasafileofstealthilymovingcowboys。ThenMadelinelostbothangerandfear，retainingonlytheglowofexcitement。
　　Madelinecouldbegay，andsheinitiatedtheabandonmentofdignitybycallingCastletonintothepantry，and，whileinterestinghiminsomepretextorother，imprintingtheoutlinesofherflour-coveredhandsuponthebackofhisblackcoat。
　　Castletoninnocentlyreturnedtothekitchentobegreetedwitharoar。Thatsurprisingactofthehostesssetthepace，andtherefollowedamerry，noisytime。Everybodyhelped。Themiscellaneouscollectionofdishessoconfusinglycontrivedmadeupadinnerwhichtheyallheartilyenjoyed。Madelineenjoyeditherself，evenwiththefeelingofaswordhangingsuspendedoverher。
　　Thehourwaslatewhensherosefromthetableandtoldhergueststogototheirrooms，dontheirriding-clothes，packwhattheyneededforthelongandadventurouscampingtripthatshehopedwouldbetheclimaxoftheirWesternexperience，andtosnatchalittlesleepbeforethecowboysrousedthemfortheearlystart。
　　Madelinewentimmediatelytoherroom，andwasgettingouthercampingapparelwhenaknockinterruptedher。ShethoughtFlorencehadcometohelpherpack。Butthisknockwasuponthedooropeningoutintheporch。Itwasrepeated。
　　"Who'sthere？"shequestioned。
　　"Stewart，"camethereply。
　　Sheopenedthedoor。Hestoodonthethreshold。Beyondhim，indistinctinthegloom，wereseveralcowboys。
　　"MayIspeaktoyou？"heasked。
　　"Certainly。"Shehesitatedamoment，thenaskedhiminandclosedthedoor。"Is——iseverythingallright？"
　　"No。Thesebanditssticktocoverprettyclose。Theymusthavefoundoutwe'reonthewatch。ButI'msurewe'llgetyouandyourfriendsawaybeforeanythingstarts。IwantedtotellyouthatI'vetalkedwithyourservants。Theywerejustscared。
　　They'llcomebackto-morrow，soonasBillgetsridofthisgang。
　　Youneednotworryaboutthemoryourproperty。"
　　"Doyouhaveanyideawhoishidinginthehouse？"
　　"Iwasworriedsomeatfirst。PatHaweactedqueer。Iimaginedhe'ddiscoveredhewastrailingbanditswhomightturnouttobehissmugglingguerrillacronies。Buttalkingwithyourservants，findingabunchofhorsesuponhiddendowninthemesquitebehindthepond——severalthingshavechangedmymind。Myideaisthatacowardlyhandfulofriffraffoutcastsfromtheborderhavehiddeninyourhouse，morebyaccidentthandesign。We'llletthemgo——
　　getridofthemwithoutevenashot。IfIdidn'tthinkso——well，I'dbeconsiderablyworried。Itwouldmakeadifferentstateofaffairs。"
　　"Stewart，youarewrong，"shesaid。
　　Hestarted，buthisreplydidnotfollowswiftly。Theexpressionofhiseyesaltered。Presentlyhespoke：
　　"Howso？"
　　"Isawoneofthesebandits。Idistinctlyrecognizedhim。"
　　Onelongstepbroughthimclosetoher。
　　"Whowashe？"demandedStewart。
　　"DonCarlos。"
　　Hemutteredlowanddeep，thensaid，"Areyousure？"
　　"Absolutely。Isawhisfiguretwiceinthehall，thenhisfaceinthelight。Icouldnevermistakehiseyes。"
　　"Didheknowyousawhim？"
　　"Iamnotpositive，butIthinkso。Oh，hemusthaveknown！I
　　wasstandingfullinthelight。Ihadenteredthedoor，thenpurposelysteppedout。Hisfaceshowedfromaroundacorner，andswiftlyflashedoutofsight。"
　　MadelinewastremblinglyconsciousthatStewartunderwentatransformation。Shesawaswellasfelttheleapingpassionthatchangedhim。
　　"Callyourfriends——gettheminhere！"heordered，tersely，andwheeledtowardthedoor。
　　"Stewart，wait！"shesaid。
　　Heturned。Hiswhiteface，hisburningeyes，hispresencenowchargedwithdefinite，fearfulmeaning，influencedherstrangely，weakenedher。
　　"Whatwillyoudo？"sheasked。
　　"Thatneedn'tconcernyou。Getyourpartyinhere。Barthewindowsandlockthedoors。You'llbesafe。"
　　"Stewart！Tellmewhatyouintendtodo。"
　　"Iwon'ttellyou，"hereplied，andturnedawayagain。
　　"ButIwillknow，"shesaid。Withahandonhisarmshedetainedhim。Shesawhowhehalted——felttheshockinhimasshetouchedhim。"Oh，Idoknow。Youmeantofight！"
　　"Well，MissHammond，isn'titabouttime？"heasked。Evidentlyheovercameaviolentpassionforinstantaction。Therewasweariness，dignity，evenreproofinhisquestion。"ThefactofthatMexican'spresencehereinyourhouseoughttoprovetoyouthenatureofthecase。Thesevaqueros，theseguerrillas，havefoundoutyouwon'tstandforanyfightingonthepartofyourmen。DonCarlosisasneak，acoward，yethe'snotafraidtohideinyourownhouse。Hehaslearnedyouwon'tletyourcowboyshurtanybody。He'stakingadvantageofit。He'llrob，burn，andmakeoffwithyou。He'llmurder，too，ifitfallshisway。TheseGreasersuseknivesinthedark。SoIask——isn'titabouttimewestophim？"
　　"Stewart，Iforbidyoutofight，unlessinself-defense。I
　　forbidyou。"
　　"WhatImeantodoisself-defense。Haven'tItriedtoexplaintoyouthatjustnowwe'vewildtimesalongthisstretchofborder？MustItellyouagainthatDonCarlosishandandglovewiththerevolution？TherebelsarecrazytostiruptheUnitedStates。Youareawomanofprominence。DonCarloswouldmakeoffwithyou。Ifhegotyou，whatlittlemattertocrosstheborderwithyou！Well，wherewouldthehueandcrygo？Throughthetroopsalongtheborder！ToNewYork！ToWashington！Why，itwouldmeanwhattherebelsareworkingfor——UnitedStatesintervention。Inotherwords，war！"
　　"Oh，surelyyouexaggerate！"shecried。
　　"Maybeso。ButI'mbeginningtoseetheDon'sgame。And，MissHammond，I——It'sawfulformetothinkwhatyou'dsufferifDonCarlosgotyouovertheline。Iknowtheselow-casteMexicans。
　　I'vebeenamongthepeons——theslaves。"
　　"Stewart，don'tletDonCarlosgetme，"repliedMadeline，insweetdirectness。
　　Shesawhimshake，sawhisthroatswellasheswallowedhard，sawthehardfiercenessreturntohisface。
　　"Iwon't。That'swhyI'mgoingafterhim。"
　　"ButIforbadeyoutostartafightdeliberately。"
　　"ThenI'llgoaheadandstartonewithoutyourpermission，"herepliedshortly，andagainhewheeled。
　　Thistime，whenMadelinecaughthisarmsheheldtoit，evenafterhestopped。
　　"No，"shesaid，imperiously。
　　Heshookoffherhandandstrodeforward。
　　"Pleasedon'tgo！"shecalled，beseechingly。Buthekepton。
　　"Stewart！"
　　Sheranaheadofhim，interceptedhim，facedhimwithherbackagainstthedoor。Hesweptoutalongarmasiftobrushheraside。Butitwaveredandfell。Haggard，troubled，withworkingface，hestoodbeforeher。
　　"It'sforyoursake，"heexpostulated。
　　"Ifitisformysake，thendowhatpleasesme。"
　　"Theseguerrillaswillknifesomebody。They'llburnthehouse。
　　They'llmakeoffwithyou。They'lldosomethingbadunlesswestopthem。"
　　"Letusriskallthat，"sheimportuned。
　　"Butit'saterriblerisk，anditoughtn'tberun，"heexclaimed，passionately。"Iknowbesthere。Stillwellupholdsme。Letmeout，MissHammond。I'mgoingtotaketheboysandgoaftertheseguerrillas。"
　　"No！"
　　"GoodHeavens！"exclaimedStewart。"Whynotletmego？It'sthethingtodo。I'msorrytodistressyouandyourguests。WhynotputanendtoDonCarlos'sbadgering？Isitbecauseyou'reafraidarumpuswillspoilyourfriends'visit？"
　　"Itisn't——notthistime。"
　　"Thenit'stheideaofalittleshootingattheseGreasers？"
　　"No。"
　　"You'resicktothinkofalittleGreaserbloodstainingthehallsofyourhome？"
　　"No！"
　　"Well，then，whykeepmefromdoingwhatIknowisbest？"
　　"Stewart，I——I——"shefaltered，ingrowingagitation。"I'mfrightened——confused。Allthisistoo——toomuchforme。I'mnotacoward。Ifyouhavetofightyou'llseeI'mnotacoward。Butyourwayseemssoreckless——thathallissodark——theguerrillaswouldshootfrombehinddoors。You'resowild，sodaring，you'drushrightintoperil。Isthatnecessary？Ithink——Imean——I
　　don'tknowjustwhyIfeelso——soaboutyoudoingit。ButI
　　believeit'sbecauseI'mafraidyou——youmightbehurt。"
　　"You'reafraidI——Imightbehurt？"heechoed，wonderingly，thehardwhitenessofhisfacewarming，flushing，glowing。
　　"Yes。"
　　Thesingleword，withallitmightmean，withallitmightnotmean，softenedhimasifbymagic，madehimgentle，amazed，shyasaboy，stiflingunderatorrentofemotions。
　　Madelinethoughtshehadpersuadedhim——workedherwillwithhim。
　　Thenanotherofhisstartlinglysuddenmovestoldherthatshehadreckonedtooquickly。Thismovewastoputherfirmlyasidesohecouldpass；andMadeline，seeinghewouldnothesitatetoliftheroutoftheway，surrenderedthedoor。Heturnedonthethreshold。Hisfacewasstillworking，buttheflame-pointedgleamofhiseyesindicatedthereturnofthatcowboyruthlessness。
　　"I'mgoingtodriveDonCarlosandhisgangoutofthehouse，"
　　declaredStewart。"IthinkImaypromiseyoutodoitwithoutafight。Butifittakesafight，offhegoes！"
　　XVTheMountainTrailAsStewartdepartedfromonedoorFlorenceknockeduponanother；
　　andMadeline，farshakenoutofherusualserenity，admittedthecoolWesterngirlwithmorethangladness。JusttohavehernearhelpedMadelinetogetbackherbalance。ShewasconsciousofFlorence'ssharpscrutiny，thenofasweet，deliberatechangeofmanner。Florencemighthavebeenburningwithcuriositytoknowmoreaboutthebanditshiddeninthehouse，theplansofthecowboys，thereasonforMadeline'ssuppressedemotion；butinsteadofaskingMadelinequestionssheintroducedtheimportantsubjectofwhattotakeonthecampingtrip。Foranhourtheydiscussedtheneedofthisandthatarticle，selectedthosethingsmostneedful，andthenpackedtheminMadeline'sduffle-bags。
　　Thatdone，theydecidedtoliedown，fullydressedastheywereinriding-costume，andsleep，oratleastrest，thelittleremainingtimeleftbeforethecalltosaddle。Madelineturnedoutthelightand，peepingthroughherwindow，sawdarkformsstandingsentinel-likeinthegloom。Whenshelaydownsheheardsoftstepsonthepath。Thisfidelitytoherswelledherheart，whiletheneedofitpresagedthatfearfulsomethingwhich，sinceStewart'spassionateappealtoher，hauntedherasinevitable。
　　Madelinedidnotexpecttosleep，yetshedidsleep，anditseemedtohavebeenonlyamomentuntilFlorencecalledher。ShefollowedFlorenceoutside。Itwasthedarkhourbeforedawn。
　　Shecoulddiscernsaddledhorsesbeingheldbycowboys。Therewasanairofhurryandmysteryaboutthedeparture。Helen，whocametip-toeingoutwithMadeline'sotherguests，whisperedthatitwaslikeanescape。Shewasdelighted。Theotherswereamused。ToMadelineitwasindeedanescape。
　　InthedarknessMadelinecouldnotseehowmanyescortsherpartywastohave。Sheheardlowvoices，thechampingofbitsandthumpingofhoofs，andsherecognizedStewartwhenheledupMajestyforhertomount。Thencameapatteringofsoftfeetandthewhiningofdogs。Coldnosestouchedherhands，andshesawthelong，gray，shaggyshapesofherpackofRussianwolf-hounds。
　　ThatStewartmeanttoletthemgowithherwasindicativeofhowhestudiedherpleasure。Shelovedtobeoutwiththehoundsandherhorse。
　　StewartledMajestyoutintothedarknesspastalineofmountedhorses。
　　"Guesswe'reready？"hesaid。"I'llmakethecount。"Hewentbackalongtheline，andonthereturnMadelineheardhimsayseveraltimes，"Now，everybodyrideclosetothehorseinfront，andkeepquiettilldaylight。"ThenthesnortingandpoundingofthebigblackhorseinfrontofhertoldMadelinethatStewarthadmounted。
　　"Allright，we'reoff，"hecalled。
　　MadelineliftedMajesty'sbridleandlettheroango。Therewasacrackandcrunchofgravel，firestruckfromstone，alowwhinny，asnort，andthensteady，short，clip-clopofironhoofsonhardground。MadelinecouldjustdiscernStewartandhisblackoutlinedinshadowygraybeforeher。Yettheywerealmostwithintouchingdistance。Onceortwiceoneofthehugestag-houndsleapedupatherandwhinedjoyously。Athickbeltofdarknesslaylow，andseemedtothinoutabovetoagrayfog，throughwhichafewwanstarsshowed。Itwasaltogetheranunusualdeparturefromtheranch；andMadeline，alwayssusceptibleeventoordinaryincidentthatpromisedwell，nowfoundherselfthrillinglysensitivetothesoftbeatofhoofs，thefeelofcool，moistair，thedimsightofStewart'sdarkfigure。Thecaution，theearlystartbeforedawn，theenforcedsilence——theselenttheoccasionallthatwasneedfultomakeitstirring。
　　Majestyplungedintoagully，wheresandandroughgoingmadeMadelinestopromancingtoattendtoriding。InthedarknessStewartwasnotsoeasytokeepclosetoevenonsmoothtrails，andnowshehadtobewatchfullyattentivetodoit。Thenfollowedalongmarchthroughdraggingsand。Meantimetheblacknessgraduallychangedtogray。AtlengthMajestyclimbedoutofthewash，andoncemorehisironshoesrangonstone。Hebegantoclimb。ThefigureofStewartandhishorseloomedmoredistinctlyinMadeline'ssight。Bendingover，shetriedtoseethetrail，butcouldnot。ShewonderedhowStewartcouldfollowatrailinthedark。Hiseyesmustbeaspiercingastheysometimeslooked。OverhershoulderMadelinecouldnotseethehorsebehindher，butsheheardhim。
　　AsMajestyclimbedsteadilyMadelinesawthegraydarknessgrowopaque，changeandlighten，loseitssubstance，andyieldthegrotesqueshapesofyuccaandocotillo。Dawnwasabouttobreak。
　　Madelineimaginedshewasfacingeast，stillshesawnobrighteningofsky。Allatonce，tohersurprise，Stewartandhispowerfulhorsestoodclearinhersight。Shesawthecharacteristicrockandcactusandbrushthatcoveredthefoothills。Thetrailwasoldandseldomused，anditzigzaggedandturnedandtwisted。Lookingback，shesawtheshort，squatfigureofMontyPricehumpedoverhissaddle。Monty'sfacewashiddenunderhissombrero。BehindhimrodeDorothyCoombs，andnextloomeduptheloftyformofNickSteele。Madelineandthemembersofherpartywereridingbetweencowboyescorts。
　　Brightdaylightcame，andMadelinesawthetrailwasleadingupthroughfoothills。Itledinaround-aboutwaythroughshallowgulliesfullofstoneandbrushwasheddownbyfloods。AteveryturnnowMadelineexpectedtocomeuponwaterandthewaitingpack-train。Buttimepassed，andmilesofclimbing，andnowaterorhorsesweremet。ExpectationinMadelinegaveplacetodesire；shewashungry。
　　PresentlyStewart'shorsewentsplashingintoashallowpool。
　　Beyondthatdampplacesinthesandshowedhereandthere，andagainmorewaterinrockypockets。Stewartkepton。Itwaseighto'clockbyMadeline'swatchwhen，uponturningintoawidehollow，shesawhorsesgrazingonsparegrass，agreatpileofcanvas-coveredbundles，andafireroundwhichcowboysandtwoMexicanwomenwerebusy。
　　Madelinesatherhorseandreviewedherfollowersastheyrodeupsinglefile。Herguestswereinmerrymood，andtheyalltalkedatonce。
　　"Breakfast——andrustle，"calledoutStewart，withoutceremony。
　　"Noneedtotellmetorustle，"saidHelen。"Iamsimplyravenous。Thisairmakesmehungry。"
　　Forthatmatter，MadelineobservedHelendidnotshowanymarkedcontrasttotheothers。Thehurryorder，however，didnotinterferewiththemealbeingsomewhatinthenatureofapicnic。
　　Whiletheyateandtalkedandlaughedthecowboyswerepackinghorsesandburrosandthrowingthediamond-hitch，aproceduresointerestingtoCastletonthathegotupwithcoffee-cupinhandandtrampedfromoneplacetoanother。
　　"Heardofthatdiamond-hitch-up，"heobservedtoacowboy。
　　"Ballynicelittlejob！"
　　Assoonasthepack-trainwasinreadinessStewartstarteditoffintheleadtobreaktrail。Aheavygrowthofshrubinterspersedwithrockandcactuscoveredtheslopes；andnowallthetrailappearedtobeuphill。ItwasnotaquestionofcomfortforMadelineandherparty，forcomfortwasimpossible；itwasamatterofmakingthetravelpossibleforhim。Florenceworecorduroybreechesandhigh-topboots，andtheadvantageofthismasculinegarbwasatonceinevidence。Theriding-habitsoftheotherladiessufferedconsiderablyfromthesharpspikes。IttookallMadeline'swatchfulnesstosaveherhorse'slegs，topickthebestbitsofopenground，tomakecut-offsfromthetrail，andtoprotectherselffromoutreachingthornybranches，sothatthetimespedbywithoutherknowingit。Thepack-trainforgedahead，andthetrailingcouplesgrewfartherapart。Atnoontheygotoutofthefoothillstofacetherealascentofthemountains。Thesunbeatdownhot。Therewaslittlebreeze，andthedustrosethickandhunginapall。Theviewwasrestricted，andwhatscenerylayopentotheeyewasdrearyanddrab，abarrenmonotonyofslow-mountingslopesridgedbyrockycanons。
　　OnceStewartwaitedforMadeline，andasshecameuphesaid：
　　"We'regoingtohaveastorm。"
　　"Thatwillbearelief。It'ssohotanddusty，"repliedMadeline。
　　"ShallIcallahaltandmakecamp？"
　　"Here？Ohno！Whatdoyouthinkbest？"
　　"Well，ifwehaveagoodhealthythunder-stormitwillbesomethingnewforyourfriends。Ithinkwe'dbewisetokeeponthego。There'snoplacetomakeagoodcamp。Thewindwouldblowusoffthisslopeiftheraindidn'twashusoff。It'lltakeall-daytraveltoreachagoodcamp-site，andIdon'tpromisethat。We'remakingslowtime。Ifitrains，letitrain。
　　Thepackoutfitiswellcovered。Wewillhavetogetwet。"
　　"Surely，"repliedMadeline；andshesmiledathisinference。Sheknewwhatastormwasinthatcountry，andherguestshadyettoexperienceone。"Ifitrains，letitrain。"
　　Stewartrodeon，andMadelinefollowed。Uptheslopetoiledandnoddedthepack-animals，thelittleburrosgoingeasilywherethehorseslabored。Theirpacks，likethehumpsofcamels，bobbedfromsidetoside。Stonesrattleddown；theheat-waveswaveredblack；thedustpuffedupandsailed。Theskywasapaleblue，likeheatedsteel，exceptwheredarkcloudspeepedoverthemountaincrests。Aheavy，sultryatmospheremadebreathingdifficult。Downtheslopethetrailingpartystretchedoutintwosandthrees，anditwaseasytodistinguishthewearyriders。
　　HalfamilefartherupMadelinecouldseeoverthefoothillstothenorthandwestandalittlesouth，andsheforgottheheatandwearinessanddiscomfortforherguestsinwide，unlimitedprospectsofsun-scorchedearth。Shemarkedthegrayvalleyandtheblackmountainsandthewide，redgatewayofthedesert，andthedim，shadowypeaks，blueastheskytheypierced。Shewassorrywhenthebleak，gnarledcedar-treesshutoffherview。
　　Thentherecamearespitefromthesteepclimb，andthewayledinawindingcoursethroughamatted，storm-wrenchedforestofstuntedtrees。Evenuptothiselevationthedesertreachedwithitsgaunthand。Thecloudsoverspreadingthesky，hidingthesun，madeawelcomechange。Thepack-trainrested，andStewartandMadelinewaitedforthepartytocomeup。HerehebrieflyexplainedtoherthatDonCarlosandhisbanditshadlefttheranchsometimeinthenight。Thunderrumbledinthedistance，andafaintwindrustledthescantfoliageofthecedars。Theairgrewoppressive；thehorsespanted。
　　"Sureit'llbeahummer，"saidStewart。"Thefirststormalmostalwaysisbad。Icanfeelitintheair。"
　　Theair，indeed，seemedtobechargedwithaheavyforcethatwaswaitingtobeliberated。
　　Onebyonethecouplesmountedtothecedarforest，andthefemininecontingentdeclaimedeloquentlyforrest。Buttherewastobenopermanentrestuntilnightandthenthatdependeduponreachingthecrags。Thepack-trainwaggedonward，andStewartfellinbehind。Thestorm-centergatheredslowlyaroundthepeaks；lowrumbleandhowlofthunderincreasedinfrequence；
　　slowlythelightshadedassmokycloudsrolledup；theairgrewsultrier，andtheexasperatingbreezepuffedafewtimesandthenfailed。
　　Anhourlaterthepartyhadclimbedhighandwasroundingthesideofagreatbareridgethatlonghadhiddenthecrags。Thelastburroofthepack-trainploddedovertheridgeoutofMadeline'ssight。Shelookedbackwarddowntheslope，amusedtoseeherguestschangewearilyfromsidetosideintheirsaddles。
　　Farbelowlaythecedarflatandthefoothills。Fartothewesttheskywasstillclear，withshaftsofsunlightshootingdownfrombehindtheencroachingclouds。
　　Stewartreachedthesummitoftheridgeand，thoughonlyafewrodsahead，hewavedtoher，sweepinghishandroundtowhathesawbeyond。Itwasanimpressivegesture，andMadeline，neverhavingclimbedashighasthis，anticipatedmuch。
　　Majestysurmountedthelastfewstepsand，snorting，haltedbesideStewart'sblack。ToMadelinethescenewasasiftheworldhadchanged。Theridgewasamountain-top。Itdroppedbeforeherintoablack，stone-ridged，shrub-patched，many-canonedgulf。Eastward，beyondthegulf，round，baremountain-headsloomedup。Upward，ontheright，ledgiantstepsofcliffandbenchandweatheredslopetothefir-borderedandpine-fringedcragsstandingdarkandbareagainstthestormysky。
　　Massedinkycloudswerepilingacrossthepeaks，obscuringthehighestones。Aforkofwhitelightningflashed，and，liketheboomingofanavalanche，thunderfollowed。
　　Thatboldworldofbrokenrockundertheslowmusteringofstorm-cloudswasagrim，awe-inspiringspectacle。Ithadbeauty，butbeautyofthesublimeandmajestickind。Thefiercedeserthadreacheduptomeetthemagneticheightswhereheatandwindandfrostandlightningandfloodcontendedineverlastingstrife。Andbeforetheironslaughtthismightyupflungworldofruggedstonewascrumbling，splitting，wearingtoruin。
　　MadelineglancedatStewart。Hehadforgottenherpresence。
　　Immovableasstone，hesathishorse，dark-faced，dark-eyed，and，likeanIndianunconsciousofthought，hewatchedandwatched。
　　Toseehimthus，todivinethestrangeaffinitybetweenthesoulofthisman，becomeprimitive，andthesavageenvironmentthathaddevelopedhim，werepowerfulhelpstoMadelineHammondinherstrangedesiretounderstandhisnature。
　　Acrackingofiron-shodhoofsbehindherbrokethespell。Montyhadreachedthesummit。
　　"Gene，whatitwon'tallbedoin'inaminnutMoseshisselfcouldn'ttell，"observedMonty。
　　ThenDorothyclimbedtohissideandlooked。
　　"Oh，isn'titjustperfectlylovely！"sheexclaimed。"ButIwishitwouldn'tstorm。We'llallgetwet。"
　　OncemoreStewartfacedtheascent，keepingtotheslowheaveoftheridgeasitrosesouthwardtowardtheloomingspiresofrock。
　　Soonhewasoffsmoothground，andMadeline，somerodsbehindhim，lookedbackwithconcernatherfriends。Heretherealtoil，therealclimbbegan，andamountainstormwasabouttoburstinallitsfury。